U.S. patent number 11,363,843 [Application Number 17/207,602] was granted by the patent office on 2022-06-21 for safety vest with light tubes.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Coast Cutlery Co.. The grantee listed for this patent is Coast Cutlery Co.. Invention is credited to Todd Ernst, Brian Sheehy.
United States Patent |
11,363,843 |
Ernst , et al. |
June 21, 2022 |
Safety vest with light tubes
Abstract
A safety vest includes a vest body including front, back and
sides, a light source having a battery pack and at least one LED,
the light source being removably mounted to the vest body, at least
one light tube extending from one side of the light source, for
receiving light projected from the LED and conveying the light
along the length of the light tube, the light tube extending along
the front, back or sides of the vest, and vest fabric mounted over
the light tube to hold it in position against the vest body, the
vest fabric being at least translucent and therefore permitting
light from the light tube to shine therethrough.
Inventors: |
Ernst; Todd (Portland, OR),
Sheehy; Brian (Los Angeles, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Coast Cutlery Co. |
Portland |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Coast Cutlery Co. (Portland,
OR)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005477307 |
Appl.
No.: |
17/207,602 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D
31/32 (20190201); A41D 13/01 (20130101); F21V
33/0008 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A41D
13/01 (20060101); A41D 31/32 (20190101); F21V
33/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Global Glove; FrogWear HV Premium Surveyors LED Vest--GLO-12LED;
Accessed on Mar. 16, 2021 from
https://www.globalglove.com/frogwear-hv-lightweight-mesh-safety-led-vest--
glo-12led; 2 pages. cited by applicant .
Global Glove; FrogWear HV Premium Surveyors LED Vest--GLO-15LED;
Accessed on Mar. 16, 2021 from
https://www.globalglove.com/frogwear-hv-premium-surveyors-led-safety-vest-
-glo-15led; 2 pages. cited by applicant .
Nite Beams; Hi Vis LED Safety Vest--Class 2--Public Safety;
Accessed on Mar. 16, 2021 from
https://www.nitebeams.com/product/hi-vis-yellow-5-pt-breakaway-class-2;
2 pages. cited by applicant .
Portwest; Portwest Orion LED Executive Vest--L476; Accessed on Mar.
16, 2021 from
https://www.cabletiesandmore.com/led-executive-safety-vest-orio-
n?bid=19704&gclid=Cj0KCQiAv6yCBhCLARIsABqJTjbyV7UOb1FKfDxdvPbKNFpSPrJ3nGe--
SVVWOZbp7TXZZ6W0ppWgEKgaAIJkEALw_wcB; 2 pages. cited by applicant
.
Superior Led; Illuminated LED Safety Vest With NO ID Panel;
Accessed on Mar. 16, 2021 from
https://www.buysuperiorled.com/vestnoid.html; 2 pages. cited by
applicant .
Uline; LED Hi-Vis Safety Vest; Accessed on Mar. 16, 2021 from
https://www.uline.com/BL_1143/LED-Safety-Vest; 1 pages. cited by
applicant .
Uvex; Uvex Protection Active Flash; Accessed on Mar. 16, 2021 from
https://www.uvex-safety.com/en/product-group/uvex-protection-active-flash-
-safety-through-active-lighting/; 3 pages. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Sember; Thomas M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt,
P.C.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A safety vest comprising: a vest body including a front, a back
and sides; a light source, including a battery pack and at least
one LED, the light source being removably mounted to the vest body,
wherein the light source is removably mounted to an inner side of
the vest by a mounting fabric attached to the inner side of the
vest such that a cavity is formed between the mounting fabric and
the inner side of the vest for receiving the battery pack therein;
a first pair of light tubes extending from opposite sides of the
light source, for receiving light projected from the LED and
conveying the light along a length of the respective light tubes,
the first pair of light tubes extending along the front, back or
sides of the vest; a second pair of light tubes, the light tubes of
the second pair of light tubes extending in opposite directions
from the light source generally around a torso region of the vest,
the second pair of light tubes being held in position against the
vest by the vest fabric but permitting light from the second pair
of light tubes to shine therethrough; and a vest fabric mounted
over at least one of the light tubes of the first or second pairs
of light tubes to hold it in position against the vest body, the
vest fabric being at least translucent and therefore permitting
light from the respective light tube to shine therethrough.
2. The safety vest of claim 1, further comprising a reflective
portion extending adjacent to the light tube for at least a
majority of the length of the light tube.
3. The safety vest of claim 1, wherein the light source is
removably mounted to an inner side of the vest by a mounting fabric
attached to the inner side of the vest such that a cavity is formed
between the mounting fabric and the inner side of the vest for
receiving the light source therein.
4. The safety vest of claim 1, further comprising a reflective
portion disposed between the first and second pair of light tubes
for at least a majority of the length of the first light tube and a
length of the second light tube.
5. A safety vest comprising: a vest body including a front, a back
and sides; a light source, including a battery pack and at least
one LED, wherein the light source is removably mounted to an inner
side of the vest body by a mounting fabric attached to the inner
side of the vest such that a cavity is formed between the mounting
fabric and the inner side of the vest for receiving the light
source therein; a pair of light tubes that extend in opposite
directions from the light source around a torso region of the vest
for receiving light projected from the LED and conveying the light
along a length of the light tubes; and a reflective portion
extending adjacent to the first pair of light tubes for reflecting
light shining from the light tubes.
6. The safety vest of claim 5, wherein a vest fabric is mounted
over the pair of light tubes to hold them in position against the
vest, the vest fabric being of a bright translucent color so that
light from the light tubes shining through the vest fabric is of
the bright color.
7. The safety vest of claim 5, wherein the pair of light tubes is a
first pair of light tubes, and wherein the safety vest further
comprises a second pair of light tubes extending in opposite
directions from the light source parallel to the first pair of
light tubes.
8. The safety vest of claim 7, wherein a reflective sash extends
between the first and the second pair of light tubes.
9. The safety vest of claim 7, wherein a vest fabric is mounted
over the first and second pair of light tubes to hold them in
position against the vest, the vest fabric being of a bright
translucent color so that light from the light tubes shining
through the vest fabric is of the bright color.
10. A safety vest comprising: a vest body including a front, a back
and sides; a light source, including a battery pack and at least
one LED, the light source being removably mounted to the vest body;
and at least one light tube extending from one side of the light
source, for receiving light projected from the LED and conveying
the light along a length of the light tube, the light tube
extending along the front, back or sides of the vest, wherein the
light source is removably mounted to an inner side of the vest by a
mounting fabric attached to the inner side of the vest such that a
cavity is formed between the mounting fabric and the inner side of
the vest for receiving the light source therein.
11. The safety vest of claim 10, further comprising vest fabric
mounted over the light tube to hold it in position against the vest
body, the vest fabric permitting light from the light tube to shine
therethrough.
12. The safety vest of claim 11, further comprising a second light
tube extending from an opposite side of the light source, forming a
first pair of light tubes that extend from the light source in
opposite directions generally around the torso region of the vest,
the second light tube also being held in position against the vest
by the vest fabric but permitting light from the second light tube
to shine therethrough.
13. The safety vest of claim 10, further comprising a second pair
of light tubes, the tubes of the second pair of light tubes
extending in opposite directions from the light source generally
around the torso region of the vest.
14. A safety vest comprising: a vest body including a front, a back
and sides; a light source, including a battery pack and at least
one LED, wherein the light source is removably mounted to an inner
side of the vest body by a mounting fabric attached to the inner
side of the vest such that a cavity is formed between the mounting
fabric and the inner side of the vest for receiving the light
source therein; a first pair of light tubes that extend in opposite
directions from the light source around a region of the vest for
receiving light projected from the LED and conveying the light
along a length of the first pair of light tubes; and a second pair
of light tubes extending in opposite directions from the light
source parallel to the first pair of light tubes.
15. The safety vest of claim 14, further comprising a reflective
portion disposed between the first and second pair of light tubes
for at least a majority of the length of the first pair of light
tubes.
16. The safety vest of claim 15, further comprising vest fabric
mounted over at least one of the first or second pair of light
tubes to hold the respective light tubes in position against the
vest body, the vest fabric permitting light from the light tube to
shine therethrough.
17. The safety vest of claim 14, wherein a reflective sash extends
between the first and the second pair of light tubes.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of safety
vests.
BACKGROUND
Safety vests have been used for many years. They typically are
fabricated from reflective material or have reflective sashes or
bands so that drivers coming upon workers will see the reflecting
vest and avoid a collision. Construction workers, joggers, walkers,
bicycle riders and others traveling, working on, or close to roads
where vehicles will be driving also often wear such vests.
Reflective vests are often effective in warning drivers about the
presence of workers. However, even with reflective material
prominently placed on safety vests, they may not make the person
wearing the vest as visible as if it was daytime. Moreover, vests
often get dirty, which can reduce the reflective capability of the
vests. Also, in certain settings vests might be used where the
party coming upon the worker might not have a light to render the
reflective material visible. For example, runners, bicycle riders
or even walkers coming up on someone in a reflective vest might not
be using a light to shine on the reflective material. Therefore,
the safety vest might be ineffective to avoid a collision.
One approach to overcome these issues has been to provide LED
buttons that provide an active light source and thus alert the
driver or person coming up on someone having such a vest that
someone is in their travel path. While such buttons or the like may
provide some assistance, they have not proven much more effective
than a vest bearing prominent reflective material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed
description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the
appended claims. Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and
not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying
drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the back of a person wearing a
first embodiment of the disclosure, showing a first pair of light
tubes disposed in the vest;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the first embodiment from the
right side;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the first embodiment from the
left side;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first embodiment from an upper,
rear angle;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first embodiment from a front,
lower angle;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the light source of the first
embodiment, also showing the first pair of tubes extending
therefrom;
FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the light source and tubes of
the first embodiment taken from the left side;
FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the light source and tubes of
the first embodiment taken from the right side;
FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the light source and tubes of
the first embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view of the light source and tubes of
the first embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the light source and tube of the
first embodiment s;
FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the light source and tubes of the first
embodiment;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the back of a person wearing a
second embodiment of the disclosure, showing first and second pairs
of light tubes disposed in the vest;
FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of the second embodiment;
FIG. 17 is a rear elevation view of the second embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the second embodiment from an
upper rear angle;
FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the second embodiment from the
left side;
FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the second embodiment from the
right side;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the second embodiment from a lower
front angle;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the light source of the second
embodiment from a lower, front angle showing the first and second
pair of tubes extending therefrom;
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the light source and tubes of the
second embodiment from an upper, rear angle;
FIG. 24 is a side elevation view of the light source and tubes of
the second embodiment taken from the right side;
FIG. 25 is a side elevation view of the light source and tubes of
the second embodiment taken from the left side;
FIG. 26 is a front elevation view of the light source and tubes of
the second embodiment;
FIG. 27 is a rear elevation view of the light source and tubes of
the second embodiment;
FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the light source and tubes of the
second embodiment;
FIG. 29 is a bottom view of the light source and tubes of the
second embodiment;
FIG. 30 is a schematic sectional, partially exploded view taken
along line 30-30 of FIG. 15; and
FIG. 31 is a schematic sectional view taken along line 31-31 of
FIG. 30.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are
shown by way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced. It
is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and
structural or logical changes may be made without departing from
the scope. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to
be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is
defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations
in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding
embodiments; however, the order of description should not be
construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.
The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as
up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely
used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict
the application of disclosed embodiments.
The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives,
may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not
intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular
embodiments, "connected" may be used to indicate that two or more
elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each
other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are in direct
physical or electrical contact. However, "coupled" may also mean
that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each
other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.
For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "A/B" or
in the form "A and/or B" means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the
purposes of the description, a phrase in the form "at least one of
A, B, and C" means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C),
or (A, B and C). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in
the form "(A)B" means (B) or (AB) that is, A is an optional
element.
The description may use the terms "embodiment" or "embodiments,"
which may each refer to one or more of the same or different
embodiments. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including,"
"having," and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are
synonymous, and are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the
term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not
limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at
least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but
is not limited to," etc.).
With respect to the use of any plural and/or singular terms herein,
those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the
singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate
to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural
permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of
clarity.
One aspect of the invention provides a safety vest having a vest
body including front, back and sides, a light source, including a
battery pack and at least one LED, the light source being removably
mounted to the vest body, at least one light tube extending from
one side of the light source, for receiving light projected from
the LED and conveying the light along the length of the light tube,
the light tube extending along the front, back or sides of the
vest, and vest fabric mounted over the light tube to hold it in
position against the vest body, the vest fabric being at least
translucent and therefore permitting light from the light tube to
shine therethrough.
The safety vest may further comprise a second light tube extending
from an opposite side of the light source, forming a first pair of
light tubes that extend from the light source in opposite
directions generally around the waist region of the vest, the
second light tube also being held in position against the vest by
the vest fabric but permitting light from the second light tube to
shine therethrough.
The safety vest may include a reflective portion extending adjacent
to the light tube for at least a majority of the length of the
light tube, and/or the light source may be removably mounted to an
inner side of the vest body by a mounting fabric attached to the
inner side of the vest such that a cavity is formed between the
mounting fabric and the inner side of the vest for receiving the
power source therein.
A second pair of light tubes may be included, the tubes of the
second pair of light tubes extending in opposite directions from
the light source generally around the waist region of the vest, the
second pair of light tubes being held in position against the vest
by the vest fabric but permitting light from the second pair of
light tubes to shine therethrough. A reflective portion may be
disposed between the first and second pair of light tubes for at
least a majority of the length of the first and second pair of
light tubes.
The light source may be removably mounted to an inner side of the
vest body by a mounting fabric attached to the inner side of the
vest such that a cavity is formed between the mounting fabric and
the inner side of the vest for receiving the power source
therein.
Another aspect of the invention is a safety vest including a vest
body including front, back and sides, a light source having a
battery pack and at least one LED, a pair of light tubes that
extend in opposite directions from the light source around a waist
region of the vest for receiving light projected from the LED and
conveying the light along its length, and a reflective portion
extending adjacent to the pair of light tubes for reflecting light
shining from the light tubes.
The light source may be removably mounted to an inner side of the
vest by a mounting fabric attached to the inner side of the vest
such that a cavity is formed between the mounting fabric and the
inner side of the vest for receiving the power source therein. The
vest may also include vest fabric mounted over the pair of light
tubes to hold them in position against the vest, the fabric being
of a bright translucent color so that light from the light tubes
shining through the vest fabric is of the bright color.
The vest may also include a second pair of light tubes extending in
opposite directions from the light source parallel to the first
pair of light tubes. A reflective sash may extend between the first
and the second pair of light tubes, and the light source may be
removably mounted to an inner side of the vest by a mounting fabric
attached to the inner side of the vest such that a cavity is formed
between the mounting fabric and the inner side of the vest for
receiving the power source therein. Vest fabric may be mounted over
the first and second pair of light tubes to hold them in position
against the vest, the fabric being of a bright translucent color so
that light from the light tubes shining through the vest fabric is
of the bright color.
FIGS. 1-14 best depict a first embodiment of a lighted safety vest,
identified generally with the numeral 10. Vest 10 is largely
conventional, with a vest body shaped to the body of the typical
wearer, including a front, back and sides. Vest 10 is different
from conventional vests in that it includes a pair of light tubes
12A and 12B that project light to protect the wearer when in
darkened settings. Light tubes 12A and 12B typically but not
necessary extend around vest 10 generally in the waist region and
are held in place by what is typically a brightly colored layer of
translucent fabric layer 14. Thus, while light tubes 12A and 12B
may emit clear or white light, fabric layer 14 may cause the light
to be a bright color such as orange, yellow or red. Fabric layer 14
may alternatively be transparent, so it may be described herein as
"at least translucent," meaning it is translucent or
transparent.
As in conventional safety vests, vest 10 may include a reflective
lateral sash 16. However, in the depicted embodiment lateral sash
16 may be disposed immediately adjacent light tube 12 as shown in
FIGS. 1-7 in order to reflect light emanating from the light tubes.
Lateral sash 16 typically extends for a majority of the length of
the light tubes if not the entire length. Reflective cross sashes
18 may extend across the back of vest 10, and reflective vertical
sashes 20 may extend down the front of the vest. As in conventional
vests, vest 10 may also include a series of pockets such as those
shown at 22 and 24 in the front of the vest. A zipper 26 typically
is also disposed in the front of vest 10 to permit the user to
easily remove the vest.
Power for light tubes 12A and 12B is provided by a light source,
indicated generally at 28 in FIGS. 1, 3, 6 and 8-14. The depicted
position of light source 28 is in the center of the back of the
wearer, as shown in phantom in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, although it may be
positioned elsewhere. It is also possible to include multiple light
sources. Light source 28 is shown in phantom in these views because
it is typically disposed under a layer of vest fabric 30, with
light tube 12A extending in one direction and light tube 12B
extending in the other direction. However, it should be understood
that a single light tube may instead be provided to extend from one
side of the light source. Light source 28 includes an on/off button
29, which is operated through vest fabric 30 so the light source
does not need to be removed in order to be turned on and off.
As shown best in FIGS. 8-14, light source 28 is sized to
incorporate batteries. It is often preferable that the batteries be
rechargeable, so light source 28 includes a USB recharging port 32
at its base. The batteries provide power to a pair of LEDs 34,
shown schematically in FIG. 12, that provide bright light to each
of light tubes 12A and 12B. In this manner, bright light is
provided through each of the light tubes to provide a bright
warning light that typically is orange, yellow or red due to the
color of translucent fabric layer 14. That light is typically far
brighter than what would be provided with a conventional reflective
vest or one with simply a series of LED buttons such as found in
the prior art.
Light source 28 is typically disposed under a layer of vest fabric
30, with mountings that may use snaps, Velcro or some other
removable mounting system to removably mount light source 28 to
vest 10. This will permit light source 28 to be removed for
re-charging the batteries. This removable mounting system will be
described in detail in connection with the second embodiment 110 to
be described now. That system is depicted in FIGS. 30 and 31.
A second embodiment 110 having a second pair of tubes is depicted
in FIGS. 15-21. This second embodiment 110 may be similar to
embodiment 10 in all respects other than that it includes a second,
lower pair of light tubes 113A and 113B. Because the features of
the second embodiment 110 are so similar to vest 10, similar
designation numbers will be used except in the 100 series. Thus,
vest 110 typically includes a first pair of upper light tubes 112A
and 112B, with translucent fabric layer 114 covering all four of
the light tubes, the fabric typically being of a bright color such
as orange, yellow or red. A reflective lateral sash 116 is normally
disposed between the upper and lower light tubes 112A and 112B and
113A and 113B so that light from the light tubes shines brightly on
the reflective lateral sash. Reflective cross sashes 118 may also
be provided, along with pockets 122 and 124 and a zipper 126.
Light source 128 is typically covered with fabric 130 and includes
a recharging port 132. In the depicted second embodiment the
recharging port is dispose at the top of the light source instead
of at the bottom as depicted in light source 28. Instead of two
LEDs, light source 128 typically includes four LEDs 134, two on the
top for upper light tubes 112A and B and two for on the bottom for
lower light tubes 113A and B. FIG. 27 includes a schematic
depiction of the four LEDs 134.
FIGS. 30 and 31 schematically show a typical removable mounting
system for either light source 28 or 128. It shows the light source
being mounted by Velcro tabs 136 to the inner side of vest fabric
130 of vest 110. An inner layer of fabric 138 removably holds light
source 128 against the inner side of vest fabric 130. Reflective
lateral sash 116 is shown on the outer side of vest fabric 130, and
translucent fabric layer 114 is shown extending over light tubes
112b and 113b. In order to best show this arrangement, FIG. 30 is
shown to be somewhat exploded.
Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described
herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the
art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments
or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be
substituted for the embodiments shown and described without
departing from the scope. Those with skill in the art will readily
appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in a very wide
variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any
adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.
Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments be limited
only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *
References